The Intersection of History and Allegations

In 1965, Filipino and Mexican American farmworkers in California formed a historic alliance to strike against grape growers. Today, following recent abuse allegations against United Farm Workers (UFW) leader César Chávez, Filipino Americans and descendants of these strikers are reflecting on how to honor this legacy.

Advocates are calling for a shift in how this history is celebrated. They suggest renaming the March 31 holiday to better represent the contributions of Filipino and Chicano farmworkers, with a specific focus on the role of women and the reality of past abuses.

The Struggle of the Manong

Between the 1920s and 1960s, tens of thousands of Filipinos immigrated to the U.S. to work in agriculture. Often referred to as manong—an affectionate term for older brother—these workers faced systemic discrimination, including low wages and poor living conditions. They also endured significant isolation due to anti-miscegenation laws and a lack of female immigrants.

Dennis Arguelles of the National Parks Conservation Association notes that this movement was born out of necessity. Workers sought dignity and protection against powerful agribusiness interests that frequently used ethnic divisions to undermine labor efforts.

The Delano Grape Strike

On September 8, 1965, Filipino labor leader Larry Itliong and his committee voted to strike in Delano, California, demanding federal minimum wage. While Chávez was initially hesitant to join due to concerns about the readiness of the National Farm Workers Association, the two groups eventually merged to form the United Farm Workers.

The resulting five-year strike transformed the industry and secured collective bargaining rights for thousands. However, critics argue that the popular narrative has historically centered too heavily on Chávez, often at the expense of recognizing the foundational leadership of figures like Itliong.

Reframing the Narrative

Recent efforts to address this history include discussions by the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors regarding the renaming of César Chávez Day. Johnny Itliong, son of the late labor leader, has been vocal about his father’s efforts to ensure the history of the Delano strike is not erased.

Cultural projects are also shifting the focus. Larry the Musical: An American Journey intentionally centers the women of the community who kept leaders accountable. As ethnic studies professor Vernadette Gonzalez suggests, this is a crucial opportunity to recognize the unsung heroes, particularly the women who sustained the movement while balancing family responsibilities.